Psalm 97:4

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

The first psalm in this lesson suggests Psalms 74:0 on which we did not dwell, but both of which depict the desolations of Judah by the Babylonians (compare Jeremiah 52:12-14 ). On this supposition their date would be that of the captivity, and their author a later Asaph than the Asaph mentioned in David’s time. Psalms 80:0 Has captivity features also. Some would say it relates to the ten tribes, as the preceding psalm does to Judah. The next several psalms are much alike in this respect and... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 97:3-5

The Psalmist, no doubt, alludes to the Lord's dealings with his people in the wilderness; but, spiritually considered, the subject ariseth to a greater degree of sublimity in the view of the conquests of the Lord, by his Spirit, in the hearts of his people. Here, it may be truly said, the fire of his sacred word hath a most powerful effect, to burn up all the briers and thorns that would oppose the Lord's way. The enlightening word of his grace, and the illumination of the Holy Ghost, open... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:1-7

1-7 Though many have been made happy in Christ, still there is room. And all have reason to rejoice in Christ's government. There is a depth in his counsels, which we must not pretend to fathom; but still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. Christ's government, though it might be matter of joy to all, will yet be matter of terror to some; but it is their own fault that it is so. The most resolute and daring opposition will be baffled at the presence of the Lord. And the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 97:1-12

The Messiah the King of the Whole Earth. There can be no doubt that the superscription of this psalm in Luther's Bible, "Of Christ and His Kingdom," is correct, that it is Jehovah, the second person of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, of whom the inspired singer speaks. v. 1. The Lord reigneth, Jehovah is King, the almighty Ruler in His threefold kingdom; let the earth rejoice, Psalms 96:11; let the multitude of isles, the many seacoasts, as the representatives of the heathen... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Psalms 97:1-12

Psalms 97:01 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice;Let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.2 Clouds and darkness are round about him:Righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.3 A fire goeth before him,And burneth up his enemies round about.4 His lightnings enlightened the world:The earth saw and trembled.5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord,At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.6 The heavens declare his... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

“Be Glad in the Lord” Psalms 97:1-12 The keynote here is the reign of God. To the wicked, it spells misery; to the believer, it is the inauguration of harmony and joy. It is as though herald-angels step from isle to isle, from mountain peak to mountain peak, with the glad tidings of great joy. It is not always easy to trace its advent. Clouds and darkness are around him. The eye of sense cannot penetrate the black enclosing pall, but faith is ever certain that righteousness and judgment are... read more

G. Campbell Morgan

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Psalms 97:1-12

The reign of Jehovah, while wholly beneficent in purpose and in ultimate issue, is yet full of terror and of judgment in its process toward the issue. This is also cause for rejoicing. The method of God’s judgments is described. They are mysterious, “Clouds and darkness are round about Him.” They are founded upon strictest justice, “Righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.” They are forceful, “A fire goeth before Him.” The effects of His judgments are declared. His... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 97:1-12

XCVII. Yahweh in the Storm.— The appearance of Yahweh is described in terms of primitive religion, when He was the God of fire and tempest, earthquake and volcano. These traits are retained, but united with that later and far more perfect religion, which recognised Him as the only God ( Psalms 97:5; Psalms 97:7) and as a God of absolute righteousness. Psalms 97:1 . isles: really means “ coastlands.” Psalms 97:7 . See on Psalms 29:1 where sons of God = gods here. Psalms 97:10 . Read, “ Yahweh... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 97:4

His lightnings enlightened the world: this phrase signifies not so much illumination as terror and judgments, as appears both from the following words, and from the constant use of the phrase in that sense, as Psalms 18:14; Psalms 144:6, &c. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Psalms 97:1-12

INTRODUCTIONThis is another of the series of Psalms which celebrate the advent of Jehovah as King. There are seven in the series, the ninety-third being the first, and the hundredth the last. The ninety-fourth is not one of the series. We know neither the author by whom, nor the occasion on which, this Psalm was composed. The series may “have been composed with reference to the same occasion, and may have been designed to be used together. They are similar in their contents and structure; and... read more